By Dan Eggen
The staffer fired by the Republican National Committee for authorizing a $2,000 payment for a night out at a bondage-themed club was the head of the Young Eagles, a GOP program aimed at cultivating major donors under 45 years old, Republicans familiar with the details of the case said Tuesday.

Allison Meyers, the Young Eagles director, asked the RNC to reimburse a GOP consultant for the costs of a Jan. 31 after-party event for young Republicans at Voyeur in West Hollywood, Calif., which features topless female dancers wearing bondage gear and simulating sex acts. Meyers' identity was first reported by the National Journal's Hotline.

The disbursement of money for the Voyeur gathering has become a major embarrassment for the RNC and its high-profile chairman, Michael S. Steele, at a time when the GOP is hoping to capitalize on an energized conservative base for this year's midterm elections. The RNC acknowledged late Monday it had fired an unnamed staffer over the affair, but spokesman Doug Heye declined to comment Tuesday on whether Meyers was the staffer who was let go.

The trip to Voyeur took place after an official RNC Young Eagles dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel attended by about 50 young Republican donors, according to the RNC and other officials. Hotline, citing several unidentified sources, said Meyers organized both the official RNC event and the after-party at the club. About a dozen young Republicans, including Meyers, attended the Voyeur gathering, GOP officials said.

One of those in attendance was Erik Brown, a GOP consultant and donor whose company, Dynamic Marketing Inc., has earned about $160,000 from GOP campaigns. GOP officials said Meyers tried to put the $1,946.25 tab on a credit card but was rejected; Meyers then asked Brown to cover the bill with promises that the RNC would reimburse him, these officials said. Brown has not responded to e-mails and telephone messages seeking his side of the story.

The RNC cut a check to Brown on Feb. 4, which was dutifully reported on a Federal Election Commission expense form that exploded into the news cycle this week. Brown has already lost business because his name immediately became linked to the scandal. Chuck DeVore, a conservative GOP candidate for U.S. Senate in California, announced Monday that he was severing ties with Brown and DMI, which has offices in Washington and Los Angeles.

The RNC, for its part, has been eager to distance itself from the Voyeur visit, emphasizing that Steele was flying back from Hawaii at the time of the gathering and had no idea about the expense reimbursement. In an internal e-mail obtained Monday by The Washington Post, RNC chief of staff Ken McKay wrote: "Our investigation has determined that following a Young Eagles event in Los Angeles, a group of individuals did attend such a club on their own. This was not an RNC sanctioned event and was not associated in any way with any RNC official event."

McKay also wrote that the fired RNC staffer, who is not named in the memo, "was aware that this activity was not eligible for reimbursement and had been previously counseled on this very subject."

The RNC's young donors program, which requires annual donations of $2,500 to $7,500 per person depending on age, has come under fire for its sometimes edgy approach to fundraising. For example, Young Eagles donors are scheduled to gather for a retreat in North Carolina on April 22 at a firearms training facility run by Xe Services, the controversial military contractor previously known as Blackwater, which has been dogged with allegations of civilian killings and other abuses in U.S. war zones.

I agree man. It would be great if decent family men like Sen. Reid could openly have gay extramarital affairs and not be denounced by the likes of filthy, Godless liberals, socialists and other thinking people.

The RNC acted appropriately in firing the staffer who screwed up. Now, having said that, this was not taxpayer money being wasted, but money freely donated to an organization, and donors can (and should) think again about donating money to this or any other political organization. But how about an expose on the Dems wasting of all of our money that was not voluntarily given, and that they need to be better stewards of. I speak particularly of recently released documentation about Nancy Pelosi's use of taxpayer provided airline transportation and quite the impressive bar tab on board. Funny how the transgressions of the right are MSM top stories and front page news, and similar waste from the left is not reported. The right usually holds its members accountable when they screw up. How about the left doing the same? I'll surely not be holding my breath for that.

Young Eagles. Jeezus. That's every bit as gag-worthy as the old YAF. Just exchange the pocket protectors for flag pins. If you don't know what YAF stands for, you definitely are of age for the Young Eagles.

Posted by: st50taw
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It was YAFF, Young Americans For Freedom. As a 13 year old, ignorantly thinking it was patriotic, I marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to their pro Viet Nam was rally at City Hall. Returning to Brooklyn Tech 20 or so of us cheered to G.I.s wearing CIBs and Achon Valley medals. They walked over to us and gave us the real skinny, telling us nearly all grunts had one thought, not to win a stupid useless war, but to get back to the real world alive. We all went from pro-war to anti-war. We knew from them, they did not want to burn villages down but you do as ordered.

This truely is funny in two ways. The fact that the GOP is desperately trying to recruit new blood as its core rank and file of the easily-spooked and fear-manipulated elderly are dying of in droves speaks volumes of how completely prehistoric the GOP has become. Add in that they have to use a topless, bondage bar to arouse and liquor-up new pledges so they'll write fat checks is proof that the GOP has nothing of substance to offer but certainly knows how to pander to the head that doesn't do the thinking.

I'm waiting for the revelation that the GOP had taken closeted recruits to gay bars to fill the ranks as well. It wouldn't be a surprise and it points to their being an equal opportunity party as long as no-one in their "club" admits their TRUE sexual orientation.

Young Eagles. Jeezus. That's every bit as gag-worthy as the old YAF. Just exchange the pocket protectors for flag pins. If you don't know what YAF stands for, you definitely are of age for the Young Eagles.

This truely is funny in two ways. The fact that the GOP is desperately trying to recruit new blood as its core rank and file of the easily-spooked and fear-manipulated elderly are dying of in droves speaks volumes of how completely prehistoric the GOP has become. Add in that they have to use a topless, bondage bar to arouse and liquor-up new pledges so they'll write fat checks is proof that the GOP has nothing of substance to offer but certainly knows how to pander to the head that doesn't do the thinking.

I'm waiting for the revelation that the GOP had taken closeted recruits to gay bars to fill the ranks as well. It wouldn't be a surprise and it points to their being an equal opportunity party as long as no-one in their "club" admits their TRUE sexual orientation.

And rightwingers wonder why people are fed up with them. The party of family values, and then charging the party for this entertainment. Well I just that is slightly better than solicting gay sex, especially with a wide stance.

The Republican Party believe that they and only they can save American from moral bankruptcy however they can never seem to avoid the hypocrasy of being unable themselves from maintaining the high moral road themselves.Hypocrasy seems to be thier calling card along with fear!

I don't know that I care much that Republicans went to a bondage-style lesbian bar (other than how darned hypocritical they are), but encouraging the use of brutal private armies in any way is horrific.

New nominee for the dumbest thing ever said on the interent:
"Yet when a black rapes a white woman (which happens far more frequently than a GOPer visiting a strip club), these same leftists go to great lengths to make sure that not 'all blacks' are lumped in with the bad ones."

dpko1, does this mean that Meyers sucked at her job? Or that she simply blew it? If it was just a one night stand, why would she so quickly be jerked off her job? Did she rub someone the wrong way? Did she assume a compromising position? Was Michael Steele hot to see Meyers go down?

Yes my friend, these are indeed important questions and you can bet that Michael Steele is chomping at the bit to get the bottom of them. And from what I hear, the Young Eagles were all choked up when they realized what they had gotten themselves into. I hear that this story made GOP up and comers like Rep. Mike Pence gag, and that when the story broke, Orrin Hatch was in Cleveland, steamed as he could be. But don't worry, the Republicans will not be handcuffed by this scandal for too long, and they will be back like the Angry Pirates that they are!

Despicable. Why should we care about your other opinions?
==============================
Can't help but point out the hypocrisy - one Republican does something wrong and suddenly the leftists say it's 'all Republicans'. Yet when a black rapes a white woman (which happens far more frequently than a GOPer visiting a strip club), these same leftists go to great lengths to make sure that not 'all blacks' are lumped in with the bad ones.

It's really a hoot to watch the republican defense here -- it was just 2k, no big deal, etc. Had the, er, shoe been on other foot, these same apologists would have been screaming about the godless immoral democrats leading the country to doom. But when it's their own bloody kind, then it's okay, nothing to worry about. The hypocrisy is, well, what can one say. I have nothing but contempt for these people.

I admit I'm enjoying seeing the family values party eat their own but let's be fair, 12 guys go to a strip club to celebrate and spend $167/ea.
Does anyone know what a round of drinks cost at Voyeur's in West Hollywood?
On the surface it seems the 12 guy's were doing some heavy duty drinking, did they buy drinks for the strippers, bartender or anyone else.
Let's wait to see what bar tab breakdown is before jumping to conclusions.
In the mean time I'm still having fun watching Big Mike do some splaining.

RNC better Fire their' advisors from top to bottom. After all, look at the $Mess they put America into with BUSHie TAX cuts for $RICH Elitists, and the BUSHie WARs for $Profit. And the BUSHie send the Livable-Wage JOBS over-seas! da! No wonder hundreds of thousands of registered Republicans are so quiet, and embarrAssed. - Thank God, I never voted for BUSH,- cause history will no doubt declare him the Great American Idea 'DESTROYER'! This last week-end I asked 14 Independents if they would vote GOP this fall. ha!- Everyone said are you crazy,-- those fools have Economically & Constitutionally & Morally destroyed Our Republic.

McKay also wrote that the fired RNC staffer, who is not named in the memo, "was aware that this activity was not eligible for reimbursement and had been previously counseled on this very subject."

Ummm, people, aren't we missing the lede here? How many times had she tried to submit racy expenses before this? Was it to the Voyeur Club or some other strip joint? This is getting good ... and, yes, of course Dems go to sleazy places, too. We're just more open about it (and not stupid enough to submit it in a way that ends up on an FEC reporting form required from BOTH parties).

Those Republicans are such scamps! They'll also the biggest bunch of ethically bankrupt, terminally greedy hypocrites that ever slithered across the face of the earth. See you losers in 2012, better get your crying (or in your case WHINING) towels out.

The annual AVN (Adult Video News) Convention takes place at the L.A. Convention Center in April. If you show your "tea bag" at the door, you might get selected for the S&M bondage exhibition. I heard Karl Rove will be signing copies of his book there too. Let's soar with the "Young Eagles" and wear our collars that say, "Sarah Palin, You Betcha!"

WaPo, you have really given a lot of ink to the $2,000 questionable expenditures in a California gyp joint.

Now, can you give some ink to the MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PAY OFFS TO FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, CONN, and MICH to get the health care bill through.

While you are at it, could you shed some light on how many campaign contributions were expended by John Edwards to keep his girl friend hidden and quite? Was it over $2,000, and just how close did he come to being either the running mate of Obama, or the nominee? Would love to hear your indepth
prognostications!

At the same time, update us on the amount of money Charlie Rangel owes the IRS in back taxes. Do you think it might just exceed $2,000?

I love, LOVE, all the anxious little Republicans trying to steer us away from this. "Why is this even news?" "The *real* story is [pick your Republicans-lost-HCR-bigtime spin narrative]." When this stuff happens with Democrats, nobody defends them--not one Democrat stuck up for that slime John Edwards. When it happens to Republicans? They either deny it's happening (Larry Craig) or try to convince you that's "not the real story." Here's why it *is*--because your party cannot seem to stay out of our bedrooms. They think that have the right to legislate what they deem as morality--and even Caesar Augustus couldn't make that one fly. When you're demonizing homosexuality and abortion, you best not be caught at strip bars and leather joints.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!! Love it! This is the cherry on top of the HCR sundae.

The matter of importance in this story is that Ms. Meyers was FIRED for what she did. The Republican Party, like any other group of human beings, includes people who will engage in immoral activity. But she was dismissed from her post of responsibilty when her part in it became known.

Now, the Democrat Party leadership would appear to have no such compunction regarding such behavior. Indeed, a man like Kevin Jennings, leading Obama's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, can laugh in public about his own alcohol and illegal drug use, ignore statutory rape as a school counselor, and teach school children how to perform dangerous homosexual acts. Is he fired for this? Not at all. A public outcry can't dislodge a sexual deviant from the Obama administration, but let the Republicans try to deal substantively with such an issue, and we hear mockery. Witness the multitude of comments here for an example.

dpko1, does this mean that Meyers sucked at her job? Or that she simply blew it? If it was just a one night stand, why would she so quickly be jerked off her job? Did she rub someone the wrong way? Did she assume a compromising position? Was Michael Steele hot to see Meyers go down?

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Media Matters for America responded to news that Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) had filed complaints with the FTC and the IRS against Fox News host Sean Hannity, his Freedom Concerts, the Freedom Alliance, and fellow Fox News host Oliver North. CREW alleges that while Hannity has promoted the concerts on his show, claiming that "100 percent of the donations are applied to the Freedom Alliance scholarship fund," the money actually goes to Premiere Marketing. (Duane Ward heads both Premiere Marketing and Premiere Speakers Bureau -- which exclusively represents Hannity and North.) According to CREW, Premiere Marketing, in turn, donates an unknown portion of the proceeds to Freedom Alliance.

"These are serious allegations that Sean Hannity, Oliver North, and their agent must address," said Eric Burns, president of Media Matters for America. "Hannity's listeners were told that '100 percent' of their money was going toward scholarships for the children of service members. If, in fact, this is not the case, these donors deserve to know how their money is being spent."

BACKGROUND:

From CREW's release [emphasis in original]:

Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against Sean Hannity, his Freedom Concerts, the Freedom Alliance and Lt. Col. Oliver North. Copies of the complaints were also sent to the attorney generals of the states in which concerts are scheduled to be held this summer.

CREW's FTC complaint alleges Hannity and Freedom Concerts have engaged in illegal and deceptive marketing practices by suggesting that all money generated by ticket sales for the Freedom Concerts he sponsors each summer goes to scholarships for children of killed and wounded service members. In fact, the concerts are staged by Premiere Marketing, which is headed by Duane Ward -- also the head of Premiere Speakers Bureau, which exclusively represents Mr. Hannity and Lt. Col. North. After staging the concerts, Premiere donates an unknown portion of the concert proceeds to the Freedom Alliance.

Hannity has promoted the concerts on his show, making statements such as, "Every penny, 100 percent of the donations are applied to the Freedom Alliance scholarship fund." Similarly, promoting the concert on Hannity's program, Lt. Col. North has said, "There's no overhead. There's no expenses taken out. Every penny that's donated or that's raised through things like the Freedom Concerts" goes to the scholarship fund." In addition, Hannity has pledged that all the proceeds of his new book, "Conservative Victory," will go to Freedom Alliance.

I miss the good ol' days when Republicans felt free to violate the Constitution so long as they led moral, upr[t?]ight lives and Democrats felt free to rape and pillage so long as they upheld the Constitution. Newt Gingrich was the first to recognize that by combining Democratic and Republican misbehavior, he could eliminate the need for a second party.

So, after the rich, fat, over-aged white frat boys have a blast at the strip club, they head off for more fun and games at the shooting range.

Were the girls stripping off military fatigues, courtesy of Blackwater(Xe). Their profits come from their tax-payer funded mercenary work sent their way by born-again Bush. They are the 'Christian' crusaders he sent to kill Muslims in Iraq.

It is not the fact that the RNC paid the Bill it is the fact the RNC attended the affair.

It is obvious to me, what is important to the GOP, strip clubs, tax breaks for the wealthy to 'go to strip clubs', tax breaks for big business to 'go to strip clubs', and tax breaks for health professionals so they can go 'to strip clubs.'

America gets it. the GOP is against health care for everyone, banking reforms, real estate reforms, but for strip club parties for themselves and their 'supporters.'

enjoy!

The GOP can go to strip clubs and have voyeur sex, and the rest of us can go see a doctor to become healthy. Equality!

Some 'family values' you have there Republicans. I see Democrats working hard to help the poor gain access to health care, help struggling students get loans, help the environment heal, help women everywhere, help the elderly live a longer, healthier life, and THIS kind of strip club filth along with tearing down all the Democrats try and do to help those in need, is what I see the Republicans do! NICE. Why on Earth would any real Christian vote for the lying Republicans?

Some 'family values' you have there Republicans. I see Democrats working hard to help the poor gain access to health care, help struggling students get loans, help the environment heal, help women everywhere, help the elderly live a longer, healthier life, and THIS kind of strip club filth along with tearing down all the Democrats try and do to help those in need, is what I see the Republicans do! NICE. Why on Earth would any real Christian vote for the lying Republicans?

I remember a time long ago when the Republican Party stood for family values. I remember when it was everything in moderation. Seems like so long ago or maybe it is the difference in the people. Maybe this bunch of scoundrels and misfits are so desperate that they will stoop to any means to justify the ends. A good example of this is just in the last few days when a man who was once an honorable man (I thought) stooped to wallow with the likes of Sarah Palin. Just shows how far some of them have gone. I can't believe that President Obama has not recalled former president George Bush. A man that can't shake hands with a black man without wiping his hand on someones sleeve.

The RNC rep could have said no, that such charges aren't authorized, but I guess they don't risk doing that to potential future donors. Reminds me of "Risky Business." Anyone remember? - "My name is Joel Goodson. I deal in human fulfillment. I grossed over eight thousand dollars in one night." About nails the RNC's Young Eagle philosophy on this particular night; show them the flesh and they'll show you the money.

Nowswimback, how on earth is an entire race of people born a certain color comparable to members of a political party who SELF SELECT into a group of beliefs/values/morals, etc? Your racism is showing. And your ignorance.

Well now... "a GOP program aimed at cultivating major donors under 45 years old"... I thought that was what the Capitol Page Program was all about. I suppose you have to take a wide stance on something, right GOP?

So if Meyers' card had not been rejected, the RNC would have paid for this directly. By having Brown pay and then be reimbursed , the charge was disclosed on the FEC forms. How many other similar charges have been made on RNC cards and passed through on staffers expense reports? Are those expenses itemized on teh FEC filings? Are they just charged off as "meals" ? Did Meyers explain to her boss what happened that her card was rejected and that Brown paid? Who signed off on all this ? She was counseled about this before ? About what ? The the type of venue? The practice of having Young Eagles pay and then be reimbursed ? Of being so cozy with a guy who got $160,000 worth of GOP campaign business? My guess is that there is a lot more smoldering here. Maybe even enough heat to melt "Steele".

nowswimback wrote>>>Yet when a black rapes a white woman (which happens far more frequently than a GOPer visiting a strip club), these same leftists go to great lengths to make sure that not 'all blacks' are lumped in with the bad ones.

Wow - you've got a bad case of rightwing radio that's taught you to connect things that don't connect.

Hey, after the Jeff Gannon/Guckert --Larry Craig -- Mark Foley crew (and the many, many doubts about Karl Rove - how can that fat little cherub NOT be gay?) it's good to see that at least a FEW of the Republicans hit for the right team!

RNC chief of staff Ken McKay wrote: "Our investigation has determined that following a Young Eagles event in Los Angeles, a group of individuals did attend such a club on their own. This was not an RNC sanctioned event and was not associated in any way with any RNC official event."
________________________________________

Clearly the RNC is lying. It was an after-party for an official RNC event. That is an association.

NowSwimBack, I don't understand your reference to "this missing link of a president".
Let's see he graduated from Columbia, was President of the Harvard Law Review, a US Senator and now President of the United States.

This poor young woman was just doing her job trying to whip up support from donors. Unfortunately for her, FEC transparency has proved to be a harsh mistress. Her career is going to be chained to this story for a long time, and anyone in the RNC who might have said some safe words of support has probably been gagged by Chairman Steele. This whole debacle has gotten her properly licked. To top it off, now Steele has to beat off even more allegations of hypocrisy in his party, but because of the public nature of this reveal, his hands are probably tied.

Republicans in general and Young Republicans in particular are spectacularly manipulative. Game playing to "win" seems to be their primary motivation. If seeking out entertainment at a bondage-themed strip club and sticking party donors with the bill sounds intelligent, imagine a whole party devoted to protecting the socially harmful business practices of the health insurance industry. Not a problem you say? If you got the money then spend it on your own health care. Otherwise, die. We make our money being clever. Learn to be clever like us, or die. The chutzpah of wealth.

Why is this story still in the top news? Here we have this massive increase in government and taxes being pushed against the will of the people, we're about to have 20 million illegal third-worlders ADDED to our already ballooning deficit, and yet the media is more concerned about one single person hanging out at a strip club. Really, this is why all these newspapers are going belly up. They're just not focused on what's really important and what affects the average person. They're more concerned with settling some bizarre political score.

Who approved the FEC report? Someone beside the little eaglet needs a swift kick in the can for sending in a report with some of the problems this report has revealed. In addition to the bondage expenses, there is an employee named Capital Liquors that was reimbursed almost $60,000 for office supplies. Obviously someone who is signing this report is doing it blindly. Don't self inflict wounds if you want to stay a viable party.

Let's be clear what the issue is here: no one cares about a piddling $2000 reimbursement by the GOP. What we do care about is that once again the Republicans are exposed (yes, I said it) as hypocritical sniveling tyrants who claim to practice a strict Christian discipline but in fact indulge in debasing anti-woman "entertainments" that make a mockery of common notions of decency and honesty.

We have a true family values president in the White House and a bunch of cowardly moral midgets in the GOP who oppose his every action.

Restraint Chair notwithstanding, Young RepubliKKKans must rid themselves of those childish, petulant forms of behavior that so often accompany the elite and get right down to it, so what better way than a club that teaches respect for women and the proper use of leather strapping at the same time. Boys, you're among real RepubliKKKan MEN now, and you will be held accountable and PUNISHED if you don't raise your game.
OK, so who's up for nipple pinching...?

What you spend money on is often an indicator of true character. The Republican party is only interested in helping rich people, but is glad to accept money from Christian voters to use it on strip clubs.

The GOP love this type of behavior. Due to the SC ruling, they now believe money can be disregarded in the campaign equation. Let them run with that. Spend ALL your money on sex shows, trips to Hawaii and hooker and lets see how that works out for you in November.

What a bunch of prudes. I understand the Republican donors being upset by this (I don't donate to either of these corrupt political parties, and choose to donate to candidates I support), but all this attention to something so minor?

This NATION IS BORROWING $3 BILLION DOLLARS EACH AND EVERY DAY - 365 DAYS A YEAR - Now there's a scandal.

I don't understand something: Meyers was going to pay for it with her credit card, but couldn't cover the tab, so Brown (consultant and donor) covered it and the RNC made good on Meyer's promise that he, Brown, would be reimbursed.

An unknowing RNC reported the payment to the FEC:

So, if they would have known about the nature of the entertainment expense, would they have paid the tab and notified the FEC? Not notified the FEC? Either way, are they legally required to report it to the FEC? If not, have there been other questionable reimbursements made by the RNC and not reported the FEC?

And, can the RNC get around alerting the FEC if they have a staffer pay with his/her own credit card and expense it some other way?

and . . . how much longer can Steele last as head of the RNC before he goes, shall we say, T*ts Up?

Republican and conservative political leaders reacted cautiously yesterday to a report in The Washington Times that key Reagan and Bush administration officials are ensnared in a federal probe of homosexual prostitution.